Things to Do and See in and Around Boothbay Harbor
If you’re looking for the authentic Maine experience, this is it. Perhaps the most scenic body of water on the eastern seaboard, mid coast Maine features scores of islands, historic lighthouses, quiet little protected harbors and towns offering clothing and craft shops, art galleries and restaurants. A wild life paradise; ospreys and bald eagles nest high in the spruces along the rugged shores, harbor seals complete their annual pilgrimage to quiet coves and dolphins and whales loll about in the waves.
Here are 10 reasons to vacation at Boothbay Cottages:
Kayak and swim in the warm Appalachee Lake water or the brisk salt water of Linekin Bay. Hint: walk to Barrett’s Park as the ocean water in Lobster Cove is warmer!
Walk to the end of Appalachee road and stroll the Land Trust trail to the undeveloped far shore of Appalachee Lake. Take your camera.
Take in the views from the expansive decks with a good book and your favorite beverage. If you must check email, there is no better outdoor office!
Spend a day at Linekin Bay Resort, only 5 minutes walk from Oceanview and Lakeside Cottages. Celebrating 100 years as a coastal destination, LBR is a perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, Happy Hour and dinner while the sun sets. Kayaks, canoes, rowboats, heated swimming pool, tennis courts, shuffleboard, horseshoes, basketball and many other activities are available. http://linekinbayresort.com.
Hike 18 unique Boothbay Region Land Trust trails along the coast, in woods or on an island.
Visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 248 acres including ornamental gardens, exhibits, café and gift shop.
Go on an ocean kayak tour, schooner or sailing cruise, or a whale watching trip. Monhegan Island, an artists’ colony and preserved island with a trail that is edged by rugged cliffs and offers incredible views, is accessible by tour boat.
Explore the art galleries and shops in Boothbay Harbor, a 1 mile walk from Boothbay Cottages that includes a foot bridge over a cove. Visit nearby towns Damariscotta & Wiscasset.
Fine dining restaurants are available in the nearby towns, or go the “Maine” way and enjoy the finest lobster, crab, world renowned oysters, scallops and mussels at your doorstep. Try out all the places that offer lobster and rate them for yourselves! A lobster roll for lunch and lobster for dinner …and for the perfect finish to your shore dinner, we have two places that make some of the best home made ice cream on the coast – just be careful if you order a double – the servings are gigantic!
Our Thursday Farmers Market offers unbelievable artisan cheeses, organic beef and chicken, a wide selection of mushrooms, fresh vegetables and, of course, blueberries and to-die-for fruit pies.
For more information on each of Boothbay Harbor’s Attractions, read on…
Boothbay Region Land Trust
Route 27, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 / 207-633-4818 www.bbrlt.org
30 miles along 18 beautiful coastal and woodland trails within 20 minutes on the peninsula are open for the public’s enjoyment, free of charge. Trail maps are available at the office, chambers of commerce and the individual trail sites. Trails vary in difficulty, so pick the one that matches your ability. All but the Damariscove Island trail are dog-friendly. Celebrating 30 years in 2010 with special events.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Barters Island Road, Boothbay, ME 04537 / 207-633-4333 www.mainegardens.org
Visit Maine’s first botanical garden and experience extraordinary ornamental gardens, miles of waterfront and woodland trails, the elegant Visitor Center with Kitchen Garden Café and Gift Shop, Fairy Village, indoor and outdoor art exhibits, and stonework and sculpture beyond compare. At 248 acres, this is New England’s largest botanical garden. The new Children’s Garden is scheduled to open in July. Check the Web site for exciting events and educational programs year-round including chef demonstrations in the cooking garden, storytelling for kids, art openings, and musical performances.
The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor
86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor ME 04538 / 207-633- 6855 www.boothbayoperahouse.com
Built in 1894, this historic Opera House, open year -round, provides an intimate stage for regional artists and national touring acts. Performances include a mix of folk, jazz, classical, blues, country and world music, in addition to theatrical offerings, lectures and classes. Check the web site or newspaper for a schedule.
Boothbay Country Club
33 Country Club Road, Boothbay, ME 04537 / 207-633-6085 http://www.boothbaycountryclub.com
18 hole championship hole course with beautiful views. Restaurant open for lunch and dinner.
Boothbay Railway Village
Route 27, P.O. Box 123, Boothbay ME 04537 / 207-633-4727 www.railwayvillage.org
Take a ride through woods and an historic village on a train pulled by a coal-fired, narrow-gauge steam locomotive. Tour 28 historic buildings, and visit the exceptional antique car and truck exhibit. Check the Web site for special events.
Boothbay Region Historical Society
72 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 / 207-633-0820 www.boothbayhistorical.org
Artifacts and memorabilia that reflect the region’s colonial and coastal origins are on view in seven display rooms in the 1874 Elizabeth F. Reed house. The building also houses documentary collections to help visitors research their fields of interest. Frequent lectures. Free admission.
Maine State Aquarium and Burnt Island Living Lighthouse Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
194 McKown Point Rd, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575 / 207-633-9559 www.maine.gov/dmr
Aquarium includes a tide pool touch tank with sharks, sea urchins, starfish, etc. , lobster trap display, tanks of local fish, unusual lobsters and more. Enjoy a picnic on the grounds, with a beautiful view of Boothbay Harbor.
Burnt Island Living Lighthouse is a short boat ride away from the harbor. Knowledgeable people take on the roles of the lighthouse keeper, his wife and children in this living history program. Also learn about Maine fisheries and enjoy a guided naturalist hike.
Hendricks Hill Museum
Route 27, Southport, ME 04576 / 207-633-1102 www.hendrickshill.org
Fishing industry artifacts, photo display, and a kitchen with old fireplace and beehive oven. Free admission.
Boothbay Region YMCA www.brymca.org
Indoor pool, tennis, track, fitness center and classes, including spinning. Daily passes available.
Attractions and Towns within 30-60 Minutes of Boothbay Harbor
Quintessential Maine communities await you. A vacation here is all about experiencing the out of doors, on land and sea, eating good food and exploring small friendly towns. Our tag line is “life as it should be.” Here are some favorites, in alphabetical order:
DAMARISCOTTA (30 minutes) Reny’s Department Store Main St. with shops, restaurants and galleries Glidden Point Oyster Co. on River Road. A favorite of oyster connoisseurs. www.oysterfarm.com
Area Activities
If you’re looking for the authentic Maine experience, this is it. Perhaps the most scenic body of water on the eastern seaboard, mid coast Maine features scores of islands, historic lighthouses, quiet little protected harbors and towns offering clothing and craft shops, art galleries and restaurants. A wild life paradise; ospreys and bald eagles nest high in the spruces along the rugged shores, harbor seals complete their annual pilgrimage to quiet coves and dolphins and whales loll about in the waves.
Here are 10 reasons to vacation at Boothbay Cottages:
For more ideas of what mid-coast Maine offers and calendars of events visit: www.boothbayharbor.com and www.midcoastmaine.com
For more information on each of Boothbay Harbor’s Attractions, read on…
Boothbay Region Land Trust
Route 27, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 / 207-633-4818
www.bbrlt.org
30 miles along 18 beautiful coastal and woodland trails within 20 minutes on the peninsula are open for the public’s enjoyment, free of charge. Trail maps are available at the office, chambers of commerce and the individual trail sites. Trails vary in difficulty, so pick the one that matches your ability. All but the Damariscove Island trail are dog-friendly. Celebrating 30 years in 2010 with special events.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Barters Island Road, Boothbay, ME 04537 / 207-633-4333
www.mainegardens.org
Visit Maine’s first botanical garden and experience extraordinary ornamental gardens, miles of waterfront and woodland trails, the elegant Visitor Center with Kitchen Garden Café and Gift Shop, Fairy Village, indoor and outdoor art exhibits, and stonework and sculpture beyond compare. At 248 acres, this is New England’s largest botanical garden. The new Children’s Garden is scheduled to open in July. Check the Web site for exciting events and educational programs year-round including chef demonstrations in the cooking garden, storytelling for kids, art openings, and musical performances.
The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor
86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor ME 04538 / 207-633- 6855
www.boothbayoperahouse.com
Built in 1894, this historic Opera House, open year -round, provides an intimate stage for regional artists and national touring acts. Performances include a mix of folk, jazz, classical, blues, country and world music, in addition to theatrical offerings, lectures and classes. Check the web site or newspaper for a schedule.
Boothbay Country Club
33 Country Club Road, Boothbay, ME 04537 / 207-633-6085
http://www.boothbaycountryclub.com
18 hole championship hole course with beautiful views. Restaurant open for lunch and dinner.
Boothbay Railway Village
Route 27, P.O. Box 123, Boothbay ME 04537 / 207-633-4727
www.railwayvillage.org
Take a ride through woods and an historic village on a train pulled by a coal-fired, narrow-gauge steam locomotive. Tour 28 historic buildings, and visit the exceptional antique car and truck exhibit. Check the Web site for special events.
Boothbay Region Historical Society
72 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 / 207-633-0820
www.boothbayhistorical.org
Artifacts and memorabilia that reflect the region’s colonial and coastal origins are on view in seven display rooms in the 1874 Elizabeth F. Reed house. The building also houses documentary collections to help visitors research their fields of interest. Frequent lectures. Free admission.
Maine State Aquarium and Burnt Island Living Lighthouse Department of Marine Resources (DMR)
194 McKown Point Rd, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575 / 207-633-9559
www.maine.gov/dmr
Aquarium includes a tide pool touch tank with sharks, sea urchins, starfish, etc. , lobster trap display, tanks of local fish, unusual lobsters and more. Enjoy a picnic on the grounds, with a beautiful view of Boothbay Harbor.
Burnt Island Living Lighthouse is a short boat ride away from the harbor. Knowledgeable people take on the roles of the lighthouse keeper, his wife and children in this living history program. Also learn about Maine fisheries and enjoy a guided naturalist hike.
Hendricks Hill Museum
Route 27, Southport, ME 04576 / 207-633-1102
www.hendrickshill.org
Fishing industry artifacts, photo display, and a kitchen with old fireplace and beehive oven. Free admission.
Boothbay Region YMCA
www.brymca.org
Indoor pool, tennis, track, fitness center and classes, including spinning. Daily passes available.
Attractions and Towns within 30-60 Minutes of Boothbay Harbor
Quintessential Maine communities await you. A vacation here is all about experiencing the out of doors, on land and sea, eating good food and exploring small friendly towns. Our tag line is “life as it should be.” Here are some favorites, in alphabetical order:
BATH (30 minutes)
Maine Maritime Museum www.mainemaritimemuseum.org
Chocolate Church Performances. www.chocolatechurch.org
Main St. Named one of 10 Best Main Streets in USA 2009. www.visitbath.com
BRlSTOL (1 hour)
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and Park www.lighthouse.cc/pemaquid
Pemaquid State Beach
Colonial Pemaquid www.friendsofcolonialpemaquid.org
BRUNSWICK (45 minutes)
Bowdoin College Museum of Art www.bowdoin.edu/art-museum
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum www.academic.bowdoin.edu/arcticmuseum
Bowdoin International Music Festival www.summermusic.org
Maine State Music Theatre www.msmt.org
DAMARISCOTTA (30 minutes)
Reny’s Department Store
Main St. with shops, restaurants and galleries
Glidden Point Oyster Co. on River Road. A favorite of oyster connoisseurs.
www.oysterfarm.com
FREEPORT (55 minutes)
Outlet shopping and home of LL Bean, (open 24 hours a day!) www.freeportusa.com
Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park http://www.visitmaine.com/organization/2132/wolfes_neck_woods_state_park
GEORGETOWN (45 minutes)
Reid State Park www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/marine/sites/apr02.htm
PHIPPSBURG (45 minutes)
Popham Beach State Park www.maine.gov/doc/parks
CAMDEN (1 hour)
Camden Hills State Park www.stateparks.com/camden_hills.html
Main Street with shops, restaurants and galleries
ROCKLAND (1 hour)
Farnsworth Art Museum and the Wyeth Center www.farnsworthmuseum.org
Maine Lighthouse Museum and Maine Discovery Center www.mainelighthousemuseum.com
Owls Head Transportation Museum and the Owls Head Lighthouse www.ohtm.org
WISCASSET (20 minutes)
Red’s Lobster
Main St. with shops, restaurants and galleries
For more information on vacations in the state of Maine, visit www.visitmaine.com (Maine Tourism)
Contact us to discuss your Maine vacation:
Main: 207-633-4328
Cell: 202-257-9241
Email: boothbaycottages@gmail.com